Blood level of adipokines and nutritional status variables in adolescent pregnancy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the serum levels of adiponectin and leptin and their relationship with nutritional variables during pregnancy in adolescents. Methods This prospective cohort study evaluated eutrophic pregnant adolescents (body mass index [BMI], 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ) during the 3 gestational trimesters (first, 10–14 weeks; second, 24–28 weeks; and third, 30–34 weeks). Serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The relationship of these adipokines with the pre-gestational BMI, gestational weight gain, weight at the time of sample collection, and newborn weight were evaluated. Analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. Results The study group comprised 62 pregnant adolescents. The serum concentration of adiponectin showed a significant difference between the first and third trimesters ( P =0.003), which decreased during pregnancy, but unrelated to nutritional variables. Serum leptin levels increased throughout the pregnancy ( P <0.0001) and showed a positive correlation with pre-gestational BMI, total weight gain, pregnancy weight at the time of sample collection, and newborns’ weight. Conclusion Serum levels of adiponectin and leptin vary inversely throughout pregnancy. This pattern in adolescents is similar to that observed in adults. Moreover, leptin concentrations increased throughout pregnancy, and they were positively correlated with all variables evaluated.

Maternal and fetal serum leptin levels and their association with maternal and fetal variables and labor: A cross-sectional study

“…Data in the literature suggest that placental leptin production makes a substantial contribution to maternal circulating leptin levels during pregnancy [ 7 ]. However, maternal leptin is also produced by maternal adipose tissue and this is supported by the finding in our study and most of the studies in the literature that reported a positive correlation between maternal serum leptin levels and maternal BMI [ 6 , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] ]. On the contrary, other studies reported no correlation between maternal serum leptin levels and maternal BMI [ 4 , 15 ].…”

“…In agreement, different studies revealed no significant differences in maternal serum leptin concentrations in regard to fetal birth weight [ 4 , 6 , 15 ] and mode of delivery [ 6 , 33 , 36 ]. On the other hand, other studies reported a positive correlation between maternal serum leptin levels and fetal birth weight [ 11 , 37 ] and gestational age of the fetus [ 36 ]. Besides, higher maternal leptin levels have been reported in mothers with female fetuses as compared with mothers with male fetuses [ 36 ].…”

The Potential Role of Leptin in the Regulation of Maternal Weight during Pregnancy and Its Impact on Neonate Weight and Apgar

“…Our data agree with other studies [22,32], but not all [33], showing a correlation between maternal leptin levels and the weight or length of the newborn leptin. On the other hand, we found a strong association in the high-leptin group between newborn weight and vein cord leptin.…”